Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1887-09-23

! Cristoph, the calmer and more self pos
sessed, felt a silent, blissful happiness
taking possession Of his heart when the
girl looked at him with her blue eyes so
sweetly and kindly. Lars, more vehem-
ment, believed at times that Katie loved
him, her manner was so cordial. But,
again, when be saw her with Cristoph, a
voice within him told him that he was
not the favored one, and he suffered bit
ter torment. So it had gone on till the
evening when the young fishermen re-
turned together from the shore.
Cristoph's heart beat fast at the quiet,
peaceful scene in old Mason's cottage,
and 1t drew him back with irresistible
power TO leave a greeting for the loved
one But after he had entered the hall,
in his effort to close the door, so violently
flung open by the storm, he suddenly be-
came conscious of Katie in his arms. And
while it ragged and stormed without he
kissed her, and in wild happiness, he
whispered: "Katie, do you love me2"
She did not answer, but her lips pressed
his.
The next morning Lars stood on the
shore mending his boat, when Rob Steffel
came by.
"You are early, though you came home
late. Were you with your sweetheart"
Lars looked at him, red with anger
He struck the wood with his axe, and
the chips few far around.
"Hohow continued the other, "you
did not have good luck, it seems"
"Keep still !" cried Lars. "What is it
to you whether Ihave good luck or not9"
Rob Steffel nepped nearer. "You are
unjust to me-" he said. "A big fellow
like you should not take it so meekly.
CristOph has plainly taken the fish away
| from you"
Lars made no answer, but his hand
clasped the axe coHvulsively. "You and
1 have no love for Cristoph," continued
Rob- 'let US join together against him,
and he held out his hand.
Il want nothing to do with yeu," re-
piled Lars, and turned away, resuming
his work.
Rob Steffel laughed scornfully, and
went away, but the sting that his words
contained remained in Larss breast.
When the other was out of sight he flung
down his axe, and went back to the
village. Slowly, with downcast head,
he walked. Before the house of old
Mason he paused, then with sudden
resolution he entered. But, as if bound,
he stood in the doorway-in the room
stood Katie tenderly embraced by
Cristoph. A painful silence prevailed
for moment, then Cristoph stepped to-
ward Lars, put out his hand, and said ::
"Katie is my betrothed since last even
Ing. intended to come directly to you
and tell you"
He did not answer, only bitter smile
qulyered on his lips. 1t was excessively
painful to the girl. She felt what a
blow she had given him, though blame
less herself. She longed to say some
thing to him, but could not find the
right word. So she only looked at him
and, without speaking, held out her
hand to him, but he turned away and
left the house.
Toward noon the shore was alive with
men. The sea cleaned in the sunshine
again, the waves played gently, and a
soft wind was blowing. The day was
favorable for large haul. All the fisher
men of the village were gathered to-
gether, the nets and oars were put into
the boats, the sails spread wide, and the
little feet sailed far out into the, broad,
beautiful sea. Katie stood on the shore
sending greetings to her sweetheart as
long as his boat was in sight Then she
went home, smiling happily to herself.
She had much to do. After she had
seen to her old father, who sat quietly in
his chair and smoked short pipe, she
went about her work. How it flew
under her hands to-day, though fire.
quently she stopped, gazing down, lost
in sweet dreams. Then she worked so
much the faster again. So hour after
hour flew by unheeded At last the
days task was ended, and Katie went to
the door. But the weather had changed.
the sun had disappeared behind thick
clouds, and the sky hung in gray folds
over the sea. The fishermen also had
finished their work. Their rich booty
lay in the boats, promising fine reward
for their hard labor. But in the east il
was black and threatening They must
reach home before the storm came on. The
little sails spread out, the ships few over
the water, causing the foam to break
over the deep dipping sides, Then came
the first blow strong against the sails
tie loaded boats threatened to upset
The men were forced to take. in sails
aid trust wholly to tho oars. 1t grew
dark. and the sea lifted itself restles :ly
into huge, far.rolling waves. Then thu
storm broke loose with wild force; il
howled and dashed the sea till it reared
,, in short, foam-capped waves. The mel
rowed with all their might; the shor'
could not be far away, though it was no
visible In the darkness. Ahead of all TIL
others shot Cristoph's boat; close beh nc
, him was Lars's. 1t seemed as if the tw'
were running a race for the safety OF tn
) shore. A wave seized Cristoph's boat
lifted it high, and flung it with it
I broad side against the end of Lars's yes
sci. Lars saw it sinking before him
: A thought shot through his heart
: frightful and vivid LET the wave
l bury Cristoph, and Kate is yours" Blu
! the thought was gone in moment; il
the next he had leaned far out, graspe,
. the constant friend out of his youth
! now struggling with death But he los
l. his own balance, sitting upon the ex
! IRENE edge. He flung out his hand t
4 catch hold of something, but foun
!, nothing, and plunged headlong. A hug
J wave seized the boat, threw it far fror
: the place, and in the roaring of tn
waves last, despairing cry was lost.
! At last the fisherman had painful
= reached the shore. Women and old me
: full. of anguish stood waiting the return
: ing ones.
= " Katie" cried voice from the dark
!. ness, and the girl felt herself embrace
e by two arms.
HChristophl thank heaven that yo